Results tagged “Ravelry” from Fabric.com Blog
Stitch N Bitch: Embrace it, come to love it. Yes, it has a curse word in it and for good reason, too. Broken down to its simplest a stitch n bitch, or SnB, is knitting (or crochet) and chatting. Yes, I will grant that a good part of the time is spent, well, bitching but it is not centered on husbands. Who has time for that when your double decrease with a purled YO in between is just not working out on these $@&$! needles for the 100th time! A SnB is a group of like minded people getting together to do something they love in good company while sipping some Joe or vino. You can learn new techniques, compare new techniques, show off techniques-- What is this, you ask. Oh [shrugs shoulders], I am just knitting 2 socks at once. No big whoop [You struggle to close your jaw]. A SnB is a great place to check out new patterns and yarns in person. Reviews are prevalent, as is advice (warranted or not) and persuasion to try this or that. Coveting is also one of the best reasons to attend your local SnB. Casually toss down your new Jordana Paige knitting bag on the table and see the eyes widen and the shopping trips planned. I love checking out all the goodies others have found when I go to SnBs.
Finally, a good Stitch N Bitch is a great place to unwind. You don't have to see your messy house (unless you are hosting), worry about your cat going after your yarn ball again, listen to the kids' favorite movie again. It is just you and your pals, knitting quietly or NOT; having a good time. I can breathe and relax and when I get home I am ready to deal with laundry again (ok not actually but I am willing to consider it).
Finding a Stitch n Bitch in your area can be easy if you know where to look. First place to check are your Rec centers and Churches--any place that regularly hosts groups. Next you can check your local paper for area activates. Online is the easiest by far. You can start with simply googling your city + stitch n bitch and see what comes up. There are also sites dedicated to helping you and a SnB find each other. However, not all SnBs are listed on every site or at all. Check out the forums of your favorite knitting websites. The Knitty Coffeeshop has a string for SnBs.
When all else fails, start your own. Find a comfortable place to host (I often use my front porch) and plan a time and day. Think about the time--after work, you might want to provide food or suggest potluck; in the morning, you will need to offer coffee; lunch time, etc. If you don't want to provide food, try it in the afternoon, midmorning or evening. I prefer evening and ask everyone to bring their favorite wine. Set up a gathering area with some flat surfaces to set down needles, projects or glasses. That is pretty much all your prep time. Don't go overboard; this is not a dinner party. Now get the word out. You can talk to friends, post is on your status or tweet it. You can announce it on any of the mediums discussed in the above paragraph online. Then wait. A SnB is organic. It will not sprout overnight. If you are determined, friendly and open, people will come. It may be one or two to begin but word will spread and the good times will be had.
A great place to plan your SnB or scope one out is to visit Fabric.com's Ravelry Group Discussion Page. The Fabric Dot Commeners are an awesome group with plenty of friendly folks.
You can also put a shout out on our Facebook page.
Knit Happens Virtual SnB board
The above picture is a pair of Jaywalker Socks started at my last SnB meeting
Let's see where did we leave off from last time we discussed the wonderful world of Ravelry? Ah, yes, I remember now. I believe Groups & Events Page was the next chapter. The Groups page is where you can see all the groups you have joined and any upcoming events planned by you. You can drop in on any of your groups with ease. Clicking on any of the names will take you right to the group's home page. You can join any groups by clicking on the Group Tab on your top toolbar. The Groups Tab will also show your membership and allow you to search for new groups on any topic (Seriously, any topic. Love Keanu? There is a group for you. Addicted to Socks- got ya covered. Looking for a charity knitting group: take your pick). You can also browse groups by a number of criteria which makes it super helpful and easy beyond compare. You may also choose to start your own group. Say you love American Bulldogs named Maggie but which you nicknamed Pie, you could call your group American Pie Bull and see how many others share your passion for giant lap dogs who keep you warm while you knit.
The next page in your Notebook is one of my personal favorites:
The Needle/Hook guide. This page keeps your tools inventoried for you. It is
possible to always know how many size 0 needles you have for knitting another
pair of socks or whether or not you have the correct cable length in a size 7
for this sweater you MUST have. The guide is very much like a spreadsheet which
it easy to glance at your inventory and be on your way. You can catalog your
tiny needles (socks, mostly), hooks and your standard sized needles (metric and
US).
OH, I must confess that the library is another of my favorite
pages. It is set up to look like books on a shelf and is neat-o. By clicking on
any book on your shelf will take you to the pattern page where you will find
all of the patterns available in that book. Further, you can find others who
have knit from this book, their opinions, modifications and yarn ideas.
The Message Box is, of course, where you can send messages to
whoever on Ravelry you care to converse with.
Now the Contributions Page is where you can contribute your own
patterns or Spun/Dyed/Painted Yarn to Ravelry so others can knit your creations.
The Purchases Page seems to be under a bit of construction but is
the location to view all that you have bought from Ravelry or donated to. I
highly suggest contributing to Ravelry to keep it going plus the t-shirts are
really cute too and I bet they would look really good one. You know, with those
new jeans you just bought.
This concludes our introduction to Ravelry. It should get you
started into this wonderful world and don't be afraid to explore and perhaps
even start your own group. The "I love Tara Miller who writes for Fabric.com's
blog" group sounds like a goody. I know I would totally join it.
The focus of today's article will be an initiation into your Ravelry Notebook (my favorite part). Your Notebook Projects page is where you can store and view all your projects: current, finished, hibernating, and frogged. Project details include an area for notes to record any modifications you have made, pros and cons and progress reports. You can upload pictures for added detail. The ability to record and track your yarn, how much you have used, where you bought it and color is enormously helpful. Needles size used, a progress bar, pattern and yarn ratings are also included in project details. When other Ravelers like you pattern you can marvel over how many hearts and lifesavers (Signifies how many people have found your project helpful) your project racks up!
Your Notebook is also a great place to record your Stash. This is excellent for when you at work (during your lunch hour, of course!) and wander over to your favorite yarn store and fall for a pattern. "What yarn do I have to make this? Do I have enough? Or do I need more?" are questions easily answered through your Ravelry Notebook. You can also offer up your yarn for trade or sale.
The Notebook houses your Queue, where you can keep track of all the patterns you want to make in the future. This makes for an easy transition to your Projects Page when you finally cast-on. This page is easily reorganized for seasonal changes and yarn purchases.
Your Favorites page is a place to find inspiration, peace and eye candy. I love this page and visit often.
The Friends page is much like the social networking you are familiar. You can talk to your friends, check out their projects, get advice and raid their stash. You never know when you will need a knitting buddy.
Well, as much I want to go on & on & on about Ravelry, I think we have covered enough to get your excited to join. You no longer have to wait for an invite (I waited over a month for the beta version). We will cover more awesomeness in coming posts but sign up and check it out for yourself. It will make you want to knit or review your love of it. Only knitters could give something so awesome to knitters (and crocheters!) Thank you Ravelry!
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